Help me plan my bag.

[RABid]

Lessons are going well. I’m planning on joining a clinic in April that allows me to get any ball, drilled, for an extra $160. I don’t want to pass that up, and I don’t want to start blindly picking balls. I’ve been reading through the forum and watching Youtube reviews and I have picked a few balls that I might like, but have no idea what would make a cohesive bag. I could use some help and advice in this area. My goal, 6 balls including my spare.

What I have: Storm Mix and Soniq. (Have a Match Up Hybrid for sell because I changed weights. It is 13. I’m now using 14.)
What I am considering: Storm Hy Road and Intense, Brunswick Quantum Classic Black, Hammer Blue Hammer, 900 Global Honey Badger, Black Ops, X2, Roto Grip Hustle Ink, Track Logix and Paradox Black. Am open to others.

I don’t want 5 balls that feels the same. I want variety so I can experiment and find what is good for me. In other words, if you were picking 5 balls plus a spare for a friend starting out to help them find their comfort zone, what balls would you choose? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[mduminiak]

A little bit more about your bowling style (e.g. speed, rev rate, axis rotation, etc.) and if it just for a THS league shot, tournaments and sport shots, or both would be helpful. Also curious to know why you want six balls?

[SVstar34]

I would start slower and add just 1 or 2 for now. Definitely recommend the Ink and Paradox Black which could give you a step up and down from the SonIQ.

It's good to have options but when you're learning too many options is not a good thing

[HackJandy]

I would start slower and add just 1 or 2 for now. Definitely recommend the Ink and Paradox Black which could give you a step up and down from the SonIQ.

It's good to have options but when you're learning too many options is not a good thing

I have 20 reactives but only bring 1 to league (Hy-Road) and even thinking about only using my Crow urethane from now because I am more consistent with it.  Balls are fun but are distraction until you are consistently hitting pocket with virtually any ball.

[RABid]

6 is just a number, maybe a limit is more accurate. And just to clear things up, I don't plan to run out and buy 4 balls at once in a rush to build a collection. I do want a chance to experiment to see if something works better for me, and I don't want to purchase blindly and end up duplicating what I already have, or buy something that is limited to being useful only in extreme conditions.

Started thinking about this when I decided to participate in the upcoming clinic and have a chance to buy a good ball at a good price. I'm the type of person that likes to plan out my next two years.

Thanks for the suggestion on the Ink and Paradox. If I get the Ink and it works better for me than my Soniq at my bowling alley, then I may push further that direction. If it does not work as well, I will back up and get the Paradox and see if it works better under those conditions.

[jumba98]

YOU MIGHT ALSO LOOK AT THE TRACK ULTRA HEAT, VERY GOOD BALL AT EVEN A BETTER PRICE. STRONG AND PREDICTABLE. A STEP DOWN FROM THE PARADOX

[HackJandy]

Not a huge fan of a pearl for your benchmark.  The Ink is usually too weak for a first out of the bag ball.  The best benchmarks IMO are Hy-Road, Venom Shock, IQ Tour, GB3, Pathogen, Quantum black (Magnitude 035 probably better even), X2, etc.

[RABid]

Thanks. Maybe I should have just ask "What are the current benchmark balls?" That would have been a more useful thread for everyone. Especially new players like me.

[mduminiak]

Hy-road Nano would be a good option for a benchmark ball. Very versatile ball, which can be used by bowlers of multiple styles and works well on both THS and sport shots. Would be a good first ball out of the bag and compliment the Soniq well.

[spmcgivern]

Some good info so far, but if you can get any ball drilled for $160, then may as well go big and get a ball above your SON!Q and buy something like a Venom Shock (my personal recommendation for first ball out of the bag) on your own.

$160 drilled for something weaker isn't as good a deal.

[giddyupddp]

Any ball for $160 I would look to go big as stated already above the SON!Q. Then going below is easy and should be cheaper. Ink best ball for the $ and easily can be used on a lot of THS shots.